Earlier Mr Kim visited a newly completed ski resort as state media lauded the "lightning speed" with which the young leader's pet project has been built.

Mr Kim took a test ride on a ski lift at the Masik Pass Ski Resort, which he said during a visit two weeks ago was "at the centre of the world's attention", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

He noted "with great satisfaction" that everything was "impeccable" and gave instructions to serve the people well so that visitors may "keenly feel the loving care of the party".

Mr Kim, who was educated in Switzerland, told officials to hold the opening ceremony at the earliest possible date, KCNA said.

A subsequent report published by KCNA early Wednesday morning said the resort had been opened in a ceremony on Tuesday.

The report said the resort contained 10 ski courses and "nearly 60 structures" which were completed "at a lightning speed".

During his visit Mr Kim was accompanied by top military leaders and, conspicuously, Pak Myong-Chol, a top sports official known to be associated with Jang.

The Masik Pass Ski Resort made headlines in August when Switzerland blocked an $8 million sale of ski lifts to Pyongyang, calling it a "propaganda project" for the impoverished Stalinist regime.

The resort features 110 kilometres of multi-level ski runs, a hotel, heliport and cable cars.

The young leader has shown a fondness for expensive, high-profile leisure projects in and around the showpiece capital Pyongyang including a massive new water park, an amusement park and a luxury horseback riding club.